Chapter 911: The Lightsaber Designed After Bashing His Head

Film was a seed of dreams, and Star Wars was the eternal dreamscape rooted in the memories of countless people. Duke believed Star Wars: The Force Awakens would make audiences feel like they had finally come home.

At the end of the day's exhibition, Duke had prepared a special surprise for the nearly ten thousand attendees present—they would be attending the upcoming Star Wars concert.

At the concert, master film composer John Williams would welcome every guest via video. The San Diego Symphony Orchestra would also perform his classic Star Wars tracks. Accompanied by beautiful music like the Imperial March and Anakin's Theme, the Star Wars cast and crew would give the convention attendees an unforgettable night.

However, the second poster released by the production the following day caused a massive uproar.

It featured the main villain, Kylo Ren. In the poster, Kylo Ren trudged through a dark forest, igniting a red lightsaber that represented the Dark Side of the Force. But this weapon differed from traditional Star Wars lightsabers. Alongside the red blade, it featured a red crossguard, making it look somewhat like a medieval crusader sword.

This very lightsaber sparked the controversy. Its fiery crossguard design was relentlessly mocked by countless fans online.

"Wouldn't he just poke himself?"

"Anyone who wants to commit suicide but is too scared to do it themselves just needs to use this sword. Two swings and you're dead."

"Tilt your wrist, and the hilt stabs right into it."

"I thought it was pretty cool at first, but looking closely, I agree the design is a bit dangerous to the user... maybe it's not for regular use, just for improvising in emergencies..."

The incident quickly drew media attention, and some reporters specifically sought out Duke for an interview.

"My inbox has received a lot of opposition letters," Duke said. "Some used detailed diagrams to debunk the lightsaber's practicality, others spouted pure nonsense, and some argued the design would backfire and kill the user."

Duke found the netizens' heated discussions quite amusing, but he didn't reveal the reason behind the design to the media, only hinting that it was a "long story."

"My team and I actually argued about this at the beginning," he added. "After a series of discussions, we finally settled on this design."

Of course, Duke had meticulously chosen this design specifically to spark controversy.

A movie without controversy was by no means a qualified commercial film. As long as the scope and heat of the debate were properly controlled, it would bring not only visible negative effects, but also an immeasurable amount of unseen attention.

Some people mocked this Red Crossguard Lightsaber representing the Dark Side of the Force, but after Duke's interview was published, even more fans stepped up online to voice their support.

"Am I the only one who thinks it's incredibly cool?"

"If the director says it won't hurt anyone, it won't hurt anyone."

"I still think it's pretty badass."

"Since Duke included it, there must be a logical reason. I'm sure the movie will explain it fully!"

"Let people talk nonsense for now. When the actual movie comes out, it might just be the most badass thing ever!"

Star Wars: The Force Awakens wasn't the only interstellar war film being promoted at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. There was also the latest Star Trek. The two fanbases had always been at odds, and seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens steal almost all the spotlight immediately sparked resentment among hardcore Star Trek fans.

Using Twitter and Instant Sharing as their battlegrounds, they launched a frenzy of mockery against Duke and the Red Crossguard Lightsaber.

"The creation of this Red Crossguard Lightsaber is a long story, indeed."

"During the first week, Duke Rosenberg was speeding one day and crashed into a tree stump, bashing his head. When he woke up in the hospital, he decided to create the thing he dreamed about while in a coma—a crossguard lightsaber."

"The second week, the screenwriter heard the news and immediately gathered all sorts of common sense from preschool textbooks, trying to explain to him that it was impossible. But it was useless."

"The third week, the screenwriter resigned in anger. The fourth week, they couldn't find a new screenwriter willing to write a story about a crossguard lightsaber. The fifth week, still no such screenwriter. The sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth weeks, they still couldn't find a suitable writer."

"By the tenth week, they finally found someone. But when the script was handed to the props department, the prop master flipped through an elementary school textbook and flatly refused. From the eleventh week to the twenty-first week, the props team went on a collective strike to protest making the lightsaber Duke Rosenberg designed."

"The twenty-second week, Duke Rosenberg made one himself and gave it to an actor. The first actor was sliced to death."

"From the twenty-third week to the forty-third week, the Red Crossguard Lightsaber designed by Duke Rosenberg consecutively killed or maimed twenty-two actors... and it's still injuring actors right now."

"Finally, by December, the theatrical release will only have one IMAX shot. That's because the actors in all the other shots kept getting replaced, rendering the footage unusable."

The debate among Star Wars fans was merely an internal conflict, but the sudden mockery from Star Trek fans instantly erased their divisions. They united against the outsiders. Using the internet as their medium, and intentionally guided by Duke's paid online shills, a massive flame war erupted between the two fanbases.

Both sides boasted massive fanbases. This internet war practically triggered a massive discussion across all of North America and even the entire Western world.

This also perfectly met Duke's expectations.

By the last two days of the San Diego Comic-Con, the arguments gradually died down, only for the forces of parody to take the stage.

Ever since the Red Crossguard Lightsaber in Star Wars: The Force Awakens triggered a frenzy of mockery from netizens, the parodies simply couldn't be stopped. A bunch of bored trolls unleashed their imaginations—just how bizarre could a lightsaber get? They could make them all.

One video production team released a meticulously crafted lightsaber duel video, staging a "brilliant" lightsaber battle. The Red Crossguard Lightsaber was the primary weapon, and the combatants were, naturally, a Jedi Knight and their old nemesis, a Sith Warrior.

The two sides traded blows back and forth, fighting with immense enthusiasm, except... the lightsabers in their hands were a bit strange.

Crosses? Shooting lightning? Those could no longer satisfy these lunatics. Triangles, battle axes, umbrellas—the more bizarre, the better! By the end of the fight, winning or losing didn't matter at all...

Duke, Lucasfilm, and Warner Brothers couldn't stop the endless wave of publicity for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Some Star Wars fans even took a serious approach, discussing and analyzing the possible origins of Kylo Ren's crossguard lightsaber.

"Years ago, in a certain Nintendo DS game for the Clone Wars, the Nightsisters started using lightsabers with crossguards. Yes, there's a risk of hurting oneself, but this requires comprehensive consideration."

"First, a lightsaber is inherently a weapon that can easily harm its wielder. Anyone who decides to use this weapon will inevitably undergo training to master it without hurting themselves. It would become their weapon of choice. Conversely, someone unfamiliar with this specific blade—like an opponent who disarms you and takes it—would find it very difficult to use effectively."

"Second, in lore, lightsabers accommodate different combat styles. For example, Obi-Wan uses a classically defensive style. A crossguard might hinder agility-based styles that require heavy swinging and hand-switching, but could it also enhance certain power-based styles? You can't just generalize that the crossguard is useless like chicken ribs; the differences in combat styles must be taken into account."

"Also, building on that style, let's set aside whether the two extra side blades can protect the hands. Even if they can't, they still create opportunities to catch an opponent off guard during combat. Assuming Jedi and Sith are already masters of single-blade combat, two extra blades add new variables the opponent must consider. It transforms a familiar scenario into one you know but your enemy doesn't, thereby giving you the advantage. In terms of function, the legendary double-bladed lightsaber, the lightwhip, and adjustable-length combat swords all share a similar logic."

It had to be said—Star Wars was more than just a religion; it had practically evolved into a specialized academic discipline.

Although this year's San Diego Comic-Con primarily focused on promoting Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there was another exhibition hall related to Duke inside.

Not far from the Star Wars: The Force Awakens hall, Duke's team had also organized an "Evening of Communication with Duke Rosenberg" event.

This event mainly showcased all the films Duke had shot and produced since entering the industry, drawing a massive crowd of movie buffs and comic fans alike.

"For anyone who loves movies, Duke Rosenberg is a miraculous existence!"

This was the main promotional slogan for the exhibit, and it resonated with the vast majority of fans.

Just as this year's San Diego Comic-Con was drawing to a close, the organizers presented Duke with a massive gift, awarding him an "Icon Award."

When accepting the grand prize and delivering his speech, Duke stood before the ordinary fans in the hall, and his words were far more sincere than if he had won an Oscar Golden Statuette.

"I've stepped into a very peculiar world now, much like a tornado swept me into the magical world of cinema over two decades ago. I want to shoot the most personalized and wondrous commercial blockbusters," he said loudly, pointing at the thousands of ordinary fans in the hall. "I am incredibly grateful to you all for giving me this opportunity. But a phrase I often bring up when chatting with friends lately is, 'Continue to earn what you have already gained.' You have to take the initiative to work hard and fight for it. So, to the fans who have given me so much sincerity, inspiration, and drive, I will continue to give you even more."

The applause that erupted in the venue far surpassed that of the Oscar Awards Ceremony.

Compared to all of that, Duke cared much more about the support from these ordinary fans.